THE LORD SPOKE (June 10)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: I Chronicles 5-6

The specter of the hags has been the terror of many throughout history. Visions of hobgoblins have struck fear in many a heart. But, did you ever confront the "Hagrites"? Could you point out their territory on a map? I must admit, when I saw that name, I couldn't place it and yet they even get a mention in the Psalms (83:6). They appear to be associated with Hagar, the mother of Ishmael (Gen. 16).

The two and a half tribes who went to Moses with the request to receive their inheritance east of the Jordan River (Num. 32; c.f. Dt. 3:12-20), faced off with the Hagrites in the 15th century BC. Notice what we're told about this confrontation:

• Gad, Reuben, and the half tribe of Manasseh were comprised of "able-bodied men" (5:19).

- they "could handle shield and sword"
- they "could use a bow"
- they were "trained for battle"

• These Israelite tribes waged war against the Hagrites (5:20).

- because they trusted in the Lord
- so "He answered their prayers"
- and 'helped in fighting [the Hagrites]"

• As a result (5:21-22):

- "they seized [the Hagrites'] livestock"
- those who weren't killed were taken as slaves
- and the 2 ½ tribes occupied the Hagrites' land for hundreds of years

All this happened because "the battle was the Lord's" (5:22). That's the key. When you fight your own battles, you get your own results. When you are involved in the things the Lord has established as priorities, you get His help and these kinds of results.

Did you know that the term "hag" has another meaning also? Coming from Old Norse ("cut, cleft") into Scottish, it means "a break in the moor". Webster defines it as "a firm spot in a bog". Indeed, the Reubenites, Gadites, and half tribe of Manasseh created the first break in the Canaanite bog. God used them to open the way and show the remainder of Israel what He was going to do. Is God using you to cut a new path? Are you fighting the right battles?


New Testament: II Corinthians 12

If you have a red-letter edition of the Bible, II Corinthians 12 has some red ink in it which catches you by surprise since you’re used to seeing it primarily in the Gospels. Here Paul received a direct answer from the Lord regarding a problem he was facing. Jesus said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (II Cor. 12:9).

A problem he was facing? Paul calls it his “thorn in the flesh” and identifies it as “a messenger from Satan” (II Cor. 12:7). We don’t know exactly the nature of Paul’s affliction but it resulted in a significant weakening of his capacities. Most commentators suggest that it was some physical ailment or deformity that affected his ability to communicate. On the basis of Galatians 6:11 ("see what large letters"), some have suggested that perhaps it was an eye problem. Closing that letter in his own hand as he often did (see I Cor. 16:21; II Thes. 3:17; Phm. 19), he writes to the Galatians with “large letters”.

What we do know is that it was a weakness that bothered Paul greatly. Three times he pleaded with the Lord to remove it (II Cor. 12:8) but it was not God’s purpose to do so. God’s intent was to demonstrate His own glory through that weakness. This experience led Paul to the amazing statement, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (II Cor. 12:10b).

Amazing, not because it’s such a startling discovery. It’s amazing because of the attitude it produced in Paul. He was the “super-apostle” of all time (see II Cor. 12:11), yet he remained humble. He is painfully self-conscious even about the boasting he does in this very chapter - he received “surpassingly great revelations and was not one wit behind the others in signs, wonders, and miracles. Yet his reticence to boast is evident all the way through.

Except in his weakness. Because his weaknesses demonstrated the power of God, he was able to glory, to actually delight in them. It takes great spiritual maturity to come to that point!

I bear willing witness that I owe more to the fire, and the hammer, and the file, than to anything else in my Lord’s workshop. I sometimes question whether I have ever learned anything except through the rod. When my schoolroom is darkened - I see most. - C.H. Spurgeon